This topic has come up quite a few times over the years on this board. A lot of the discussion around it has mostly been others opinions. I found this neat little graph online (instagram) from the New York Times that compares the two. Now keep in mind one's location will certainly have an effect on which one might make more sense, even in what part of you own country you're in.
In as much as buying a house as an independent individual look more enticing, you can't deny the fact that their are so many factors that makes it even more complicating than renting an apartment, and one of the major challenges of buying a house is the cost, not every individual have the capacity financially to buy a house, but if it's renting am apartment, even the man with an average salary can afford it.
Another thing that makes even the rich that can afford owning their own house prefer renting in most cases is the location, in my country, their is an area called banana island, it's where the best house are located, almost all of the house there are being rented by the rich, because it doesn't just have the best house, but it also has the best environment, since is closed the the sea side, and to be frank, you can't afford renting a house there if you are not rich, because rent there is very expensive.
So It all depends on what you really want as a person, because you might own a house of your own, but due to the environment is not that ok for you as a person, base on the fact that owning a house in your desired location is out of your reach, you might renting an apartment there for your own use, while giving out the one you own for rent, so the decision of renting and buy a house depends on some factors, like financial capacity, location and desire.